Jump to content

Oil shale industry: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m references; notes
Corrected multiple spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization errors.
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Oil shale]] is used industrially in [[Brazil]], [[China]], [[Estonia]] and to some extent in [[Germany]], [[Israel]] and [[Russia]]. Several other countries are currently researching their reserves and production methods to improve efficency and recovery.<ref name=wec73>WEC, p. 73</ref> [[Energy policy of Australia|Australia]] though has halted their pilot projects due to enviromental concerns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/news-and-events/media/releases/climate-change/climate-changing-shale-oil-ind
[[Oil shale]] is used industrially in [[Brazil]], [[China]], [[Estonia]] and to some extent in [[Germany]], [[Israel]] and [[Russia]]. Several other countries are currently researching their reserves and production methods to improve efficiency and recovery.<ref name=wec73>WEC, p. 73</ref> [[Energy policy of Australia|Australia]] though has halted their pilot projects due to environmental concerns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/news-and-events/media/releases/climate-change/climate-changing-shale-oil-ind
|title=Climate-changing shale oil industry stopped
|title=Climate-changing shale oil industry stopped
|author=Greenpeace Australia Pacific
|author=Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Line 6: Line 6:
}}</ref> Estonia accounts for about 70% of the world's oil shale production.<ref name=research>{{Cite paper | title = Non-Nuclear Energy Research in Europe – A comparative study. Country Reports A – I. Volume 2 | publisher = [[European Commission]]. Directorate-General for Research | date = [[2005]] | pages = | url = http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/pdf/synergy_vol2_en.pdf | format= PDF | id = EUR 21614/2 | accessdate =2007-06-29}}</ref>
}}</ref> Estonia accounts for about 70% of the world's oil shale production.<ref name=research>{{Cite paper | title = Non-Nuclear Energy Research in Europe – A comparative study. Country Reports A – I. Volume 2 | publisher = [[European Commission]]. Directorate-General for Research | date = [[2005]] | pages = | url = http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/pdf/synergy_vol2_en.pdf | format= PDF | id = EUR 21614/2 | accessdate =2007-06-29}}</ref>


Oil shale has been used in industry since the early 1600's when it was mined for its minerals. Since the late 1800's shale oil has also been used for its oil content and as a low grade fuel for power generation. Power Genration is not particualry wide spread, however it is present in coutnries whic has signifcant oil shale deposits and little in the way of other hydrocarbon deposits. Similarly Oil shales are being seen as a solution to increase domestic production of oil in countries which are reliant on imports.
Oil shale has been used in industry since the early 1600's when it was mined for its minerals. Since the late 1800's shale oil has also been used for its oil content and as a low grade fuel for power generation. Power generation is not particularly wide spread, however it is present in countries that have significant oil shale deposits, and little in the way of other hydrocarbon deposits. Similarly, oil shales are being seen as a solution to increase domestic production of oil in countries that are reliant on imports.


==History of usage==
==History of usage==
[[Image:Production of oil shale.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Production of oil shale in millions of metric tons from Estonia (Estonia deposit), Russia (Leningrad and Kashpir deposits), United Kingdom (Scotland, Lothians), Brazil (Iratí Formation), China (Maoming and Fushun deposits), and Germany (Dotternhausen) from 1880 to 2000.<ref name=dyni>{{Cite paper | last =Dyni | first =John R. | title =Geology and resources of some world oil-shale deposits. Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5294 | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey | year = [[2006]] | url = http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5294/pdf/sir5294_508.pdf | format=PDF | accessdate =2007-07-09}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Production of oil shale.PNG|thumb|300px|right|Production of oil shale in millions of metric tons from Estonia (Estonia deposit), Russia (Leningrad and Kashpir deposits), United Kingdom (Scotland, Lothians), Brazil (Iratí Formation), China (Maoming and Fushun deposits), and Germany (Dotternhausen) from 1880 to 2000.<ref name=dyni>{{Cite paper | last =Dyni | first =John R. | title =Geology and resources of some world oil-shale deposits. Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5294 | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey | year = [[2006]] | url = http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5294/pdf/sir5294_508.pdf | format=PDF | accessdate =2007-07-09}}</ref>]]
Oil shale has been used since ancient times. In 1637, Swedish [[alum|alum shale]] of [[Cambrian]] and [[Ordovician]] age was used for extracting potassium [[aluminium sulfate]].<ref name=wec75>WEC, p. 75-77</ref> The modern use of oil shale for shale oil production dates to the mid-19th century. In 1837 oil shale mining began at the Autun mines in France, and continued until [[1957]].<ref name=laherrere>{{Cite paper | last =Laherrère | first =Jean | author-link =Jean Laherrère | title =Review on oil shale data | publisher = Hubbert Peak | date = [[2005]] | url=http://www.hubbertpeak.com/laherrere/OilShaleReview200509.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =2007-06-17}}</ref> In 1847 the Scottish chemist [[James Young]] prepared "lighting oil," lubricating oil and wax from torbanite. In 1850 he patented the process of [[Cracking (chemistry)|cracking]] oil.<ref name=Colorado>{{cite paper | publisher= Colorado School of Mines Press | author=Dr. James H. Gary, Editor | url= http://ds.uhoc.utah.edu/dspace/bitstream/123456789/703/1/12th%20CSM%20Oil%20shale%20proceedings.pdf | title = Twelfth Oil Shale Symposium Proceedings | format=PDF | date=August 1979 | accessdate=2007-06-02}}</ref> Oil from oil shale was produced in [[Scotland]] from [[1857]] until [[1962]] when production ceased due to the lower cost of petroleum.<ref name=wec75/> Germany developed its shale oil industry from mid-19th century until the 1940s. Today, only Rohrbach Zement in [[Dotternhausen]] uses oil shale for cement, and power and thermal energy production.<ref name=wec75/> Sweden retorted oil from shale from the end of the 19th century until 1966. In addition, in 1950-1989 alum shale was used in Sweden for uranium production and in the 1960s a small amount of vanadium was produced.<ref name=dyni/><ref name=wec75/>
Oil shale has been used since ancient times. In 1637, Swedish [[alum|alum shale]] of [[Cambrian]] and [[Ordovician]] age was used for extracting potassium [[aluminum sulfate]].<ref name=wec75>WEC, p. 75-77</ref> The modern use of oil shale for shale oil production dates to the mid-19th century. In 1837 oil shale mining began at the Autun mines in France, and continued until [[1957]].<ref name=laherrere>{{Cite paper | last =Laherrère | first =Jean | author-link =Jean Laherrère | title =Review on oil shale data | publisher = Hubbert Peak | date = [[2005]] | url=http://www.hubbertpeak.com/laherrere/OilShaleReview200509.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =2007-06-17}}</ref> In 1847 the Scottish chemist [[James Young]] prepared "lighting oil," lubricating oil and wax from torbanite. In 1850 he patented the process of [[Cracking (chemistry)|cracking]] oil.<ref name=Colorado>{{cite paper | publisher= Colorado School of Mines Press | author=Dr. James H. Gary, Editor | url= http://ds.uhoc.utah.edu/dspace/bitstream/123456789/703/1/12th%20CSM%20Oil%20shale%20proceedings.pdf | title = Twelfth Oil Shale Symposium Proceedings | format=PDF | date=August 1979 | accessdate=2007-06-02}}</ref> Oil from oil shale was produced in [[Scotland]] from [[1857]] until [[1962]] when production ceased due to the lower cost of petroleum.<ref name=wec75/> Germany developed its shale oil industry from mid-19th century until the 1940s. Today, only Rohrbach Zement in [[Dotternhausen]] uses oil shale for cement, and power and thermal energy production.<ref name=wec75/> Sweden retorted oil from shale from the end of the 19th century until 1966. In addition, in 1950-1989 alum shale was used in Sweden for uranium production and in the 1960s a small amount of vanadium was produced.<ref name=dyni/><ref name=wec75/>


Estonia first used oil shale as a low-grade fuel in 1838 after attempts to distill oil from the material failed. Estonia's resource was not seriously exploited until fuel shortages during [[World War I]] made it viable. Mining began in 1918 and has continued since, with the size of operation increasing with demand. After [[World War II]], Estonian-produced oil shale gas was used in [[Leningrad]] and the cities in North Estonia as a substitute for natural gas.</ref><ref name=ttu>{{Cite web | author = Ingo Valgma | title = Map of oil shale mining history in Estonia | publisher = Mining Institute of [[Tallinn Technical University]] | url = http://www.ene.ttu.ee/maeinstituut/mgis/mapofhistory.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-21}}</ref><ref name=vkg>{{cite web | publisher= [[Viru Keemia Grupp]] | url= http://www.vkg.ee/?id=1947 | title = History of the company | accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> Two large oil shale-fired [[power station]]s were opened, a 1,400-[[megawatt|MW]] plant in 1965 and a 1,600-MW plant in 1973. Oil shale production peaked in 1980 at 31.35 million [[tonne]]s. However, in 1981 the fourth reactor of the [[Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Oblast|Sosnovy Bor]] [[nuclear power station]] opened nearby in [[Leningrad Oblast]] of [[Russia]], reducing demand for Estonian shale. Production gradually decreased until 1995, since which time production has increased again slightly.<ref name=wec75/>
Estonia first used oil shale as a low-grade fuel in 1838 after attempts to distill oil from the material failed. Estonia's resource was not seriously exploited until fuel shortages during [[World War I]] made it viable. Mining began in 1918 and has continued since, with the size of operation increasing with demand. After [[World War II]], Estonian-produced oil shale gas was used in [[Leningrad]] and the cities in North Estonia as a substitute for natural gas.</ref><ref name=ttu>{{Cite web | author = Ingo Valgma | title = Map of oil shale mining history in Estonia | publisher = Mining Institute of [[Tallinn Technical University]] | url = http://www.ene.ttu.ee/maeinstituut/mgis/mapofhistory.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-21}}</ref><ref name=vkg>{{cite web | publisher= [[Viru Keemia Grupp]] | url= http://www.vkg.ee/?id=1947 | title = History of the company | accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> Two large oil shale-fired [[power station]]s were opened, a 1,400-[[megawatt|MW]] plant in 1965 and a 1,600-MW plant in 1973. Oil shale production peaked in 1980 at 31.35 million [[tonne]]s. However, in 1981 the fourth reactor of the [[Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Oblast|Sosnovy Bor]] [[nuclear power station]] opened nearby in [[Leningrad Oblast]] of [[Russia]], reducing demand for Estonian shale. Production gradually decreased until 1995, since which time production has increased again slightly.<ref name=wec75/>


Australia mined 4 million tonnes of oil shale between 1862 and 1952, when government support of mining ceased. Since the 1970s, oil companies have been exploring again possible reserves.<ref name=wec75/> From 2000 to 2004 a demonstration-scale processing plant at the Stuart Deposit near [[Gladstone, Queensland]] produced over 1.5 million barrels of oil. The facility is now on care-and-maintenance in an operable condition, and the operator of the plant &mdash; Queensland Energy Resources &mdash; is conducting research and design studies for the next phase of its oil shale operations.<ref name=aimr>{{cite web | publisher= Geoscience Australia | url= http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/info/aimr/shale_oil.jsp | title = Shale oil. AIMR Report 2006 | accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref> Brazil has produced oil from oil shales since 1935. Since 1954 Oil shale development has been the focus of a specific department with in Petrobras named, Superintendencia da Industrializaco do Xisto (SIX). Initially SIX focused on oil shales in the larger Paraíba formation but has now since since refocued development in the Irati shale. The pilot plant with a prototype oil-shale retort was started in 1972 before using [[Petrosix]] technology in 1982 and the commercial production started in 1992.<ref name=wec75/> China has been mining oil shale since the 1920s near [[Fushun]] and [[Maoming]].<ref name=wec75/><ref name=fushun2>{{Cite paper | last = Yin | first = Liang | title = Current status of oil shale industry in Fushun, China | date = [[7 November|7-9 November]] [[2006]] | place = Amman, Jordan | url = http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A106.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-06-29}}</ref> Russia has been mining its reserves since the 1930s. As most of Russian oil shale mines were closed on 1990s, the current production continues on a small-scale basis.<ref name=wec75/> Canada has produced some shale oil in mid of 1800s and in 1929-1930. Some experimental processing took place also in 1988.<ref name=wec75/>
Australia mined 4 million tonnes of oil shale between 1862 and 1952, when government support of mining ceased. Since the 1970s, oil companies have been exploring again possible reserves.<ref name=wec75/> From 2000 to 2004 a demonstration-scale processing plant at the Stuart Deposit near [[Gladstone, Queensland]] produced over 1.5 million barrels of oil. The facility is now on care-and-maintenance in an operable condition, and the operator of the plant &mdash; Queensland Energy Resources &mdash; is conducting research and design studies for the next phase of its oil shale operations.<ref name=aimr>{{cite web | publisher= Geoscience Australia | url= http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/info/aimr/shale_oil.jsp | title = Shale oil. AIMR Report 2006 | accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref> Brazil has produced oil from oil shales since 1935. Since 1954 Oil shale development has been the focus of a specific department with in Petrobras named, Superintendencia da Industrializaco do Xisto (SIX). Initially SIX focused on oil shales in the larger Paraíba formation but has now since since refocused development in the Irati shale. The pilot plant with a prototype oil-shale retort was started in 1972 before using [[Petrosix]] technology in 1982 and the commercial production started in 1992.<ref name=wec75/> China has been mining oil shale since the 1920s near [[Fushun]] and [[Maoming]].<ref name=wec75/><ref name=fushun2>{{Cite paper | last = Yin | first = Liang | title = Current status of oil shale industry in Fushun, China | date = [[7 November|7-9 November]] [[2006]] | place = Amman, Jordan | url = http://www.sdnp.jo/International_Oil_Conference/rtos-A106.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-06-29}}</ref> Russia has been mining its reserves since the 1930s. As most of Russian oil shale mines were closed on 1990s, the current production continues on a small-scale basis.<ref name=wec75/> Canada has produced some shale oil in mid of 1800s and in 1929-1930. Some experimental processing took place also in 1988.<ref name=wec75/>


The United States has seen some attempts at large-scale exploitation. Oil distilled from shale was first burnt for [[horticulture|horticultural purposes]] in the 19th century, but it was not until the 1900s that larger investigations were made. The [[Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves]] was established in 1912. The reserves were seen as a possible emergency source of fuel for the military, particularly the [[United States Navy|Navy]].{{fact}} After [[World War II]], the [[United States Bureau of Mines|US Bureau of Mines]] opened a demonstration mine at Anvils Point, just west of [[Rifle, Colorado]], which operated at a small-scale.{{fact}} In the early sixties [[Tosco Corporation|TOSCO (The Oil Shale Corporation)]] opened an underground mine and built an experimental plant near [[Parachute, Colorado]]. It closed in the late sixties because the price of production exceeded the cost of imported crude oil.{{fact}} It was not until the [[oil crisis]] of the 1970s and the US becoming a net importer of oil that efforts at utilization were increased. Military uses were deemed less important and commercial exploitation came to the fore, with several oil companies investing. [[Unocal]] returned to the same area where TOSCO had worked. Several billion dollars were spent until declining [[oil prices]] rendered production uneconomical once more and [[Unocal]] withdrew in 1991.{{fact}} The oil shale development program was initiated in 2003 in support of President Bush’s National Energy Policy.<ref name=blm>{{cite web | publisher= Bureau of Land Management | url= http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2005/pr050920_oilshale.htm | title = Nominations for Oil Shale Research Leases Demonstrate Significant Interest in Advancing Energy Technology. Press release | date = 2005-09-20 | accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref> The [[Energy Policy Act of 2005]] introduced a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar sands resources on public lands with an emphasis on the most geologically prospective lands within each of the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.<ref name=anl>{{cite web | publisher= Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS Information Center | url= http://ostseis.anl.gov/eis/what/index.cfm | title = What's in the Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS | accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref> The federal government currently owns 72% of all known oil shale in the United States.
The United States has seen some attempts at large-scale exploitation. Oil distilled from shale was first burnt for [[horticulture|horticultural purposes]] in the 19th century, but it was not until the 1900s that larger investigations were made. The [[Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves]] was established in 1912. The reserves were seen as a possible emergency source of fuel for the military, particularly the [[United States Navy|Navy]].{{fact}} After [[World War II]], the [[United States Bureau of Mines|US Bureau of Mines]] opened a demonstration mine at Anvils Point, just west of [[Rifle, Colorado]], which operated at a small-scale.{{fact}} In the early sixties [[Tosco Corporation|TOSCO (The Oil Shale Corporation)]] opened an underground mine and built an experimental plant near [[Parachute, Colorado]]. It closed in the late sixties because the price of production exceeded the cost of imported crude oil.{{fact}} It was not until the [[oil crisis]] of the 1970s and the US becoming a net importer of oil that efforts at utilization were increased. Military uses were deemed less important and commercial exploitation came to the fore, with several oil companies investing. [[Unocal]] returned to the same area where TOSCO had worked. Several billion dollars were spent until declining [[oil prices]] rendered production uneconomical once more and [[Unocal]] withdrew in 1991.{{fact}} The oil shale development program was initiated in 2003 in support of President Bush’s National Energy Policy.<ref name=blm>{{cite web | publisher= Bureau of Land Management | url= http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2005/pr050920_oilshale.htm | title = Nominations for Oil Shale Research Leases Demonstrate Significant Interest in Advancing Energy Technology. Press release | date = 2005-09-20 | accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref> The [[Energy Policy Act of 2005]] introduced a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar sands resources on public lands with an emphasis on the most geologically prospective lands within each of the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.<ref name=anl>{{cite web | publisher= Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS Information Center | url= http://ostseis.anl.gov/eis/what/index.cfm | title = What's in the Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS | accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref> The federal government currently owns 72% of all known oil shale in the United States.

Revision as of 11:12, 21 July 2007

Oil shale is used industrially in Brazil, China, Estonia and to some extent in Germany, Israel and Russia. Several other countries are currently researching their reserves and production methods to improve efficiency and recovery.[1] Australia though has halted their pilot projects due to environmental concerns.[2] Estonia accounts for about 70% of the world's oil shale production.[3]

Oil shale has been used in industry since the early 1600's when it was mined for its minerals. Since the late 1800's shale oil has also been used for its oil content and as a low grade fuel for power generation. Power generation is not particularly wide spread, however it is present in countries that have significant oil shale deposits, and little in the way of other hydrocarbon deposits. Similarly, oil shales are being seen as a solution to increase domestic production of oil in countries that are reliant on imports.

History of usage

File:Production of oil shale.PNG
Production of oil shale in millions of metric tons from Estonia (Estonia deposit), Russia (Leningrad and Kashpir deposits), United Kingdom (Scotland, Lothians), Brazil (Iratí Formation), China (Maoming and Fushun deposits), and Germany (Dotternhausen) from 1880 to 2000.[4]

Oil shale has been used since ancient times. In 1637, Swedish alum shale of Cambrian and Ordovician age was used for extracting potassium aluminum sulfate.[5] The modern use of oil shale for shale oil production dates to the mid-19th century. In 1837 oil shale mining began at the Autun mines in France, and continued until 1957.[6] In 1847 the Scottish chemist James Young prepared "lighting oil," lubricating oil and wax from torbanite. In 1850 he patented the process of cracking oil.[7] Oil from oil shale was produced in Scotland from 1857 until 1962 when production ceased due to the lower cost of petroleum.[5] Germany developed its shale oil industry from mid-19th century until the 1940s. Today, only Rohrbach Zement in Dotternhausen uses oil shale for cement, and power and thermal energy production.[5] Sweden retorted oil from shale from the end of the 19th century until 1966. In addition, in 1950-1989 alum shale was used in Sweden for uranium production and in the 1960s a small amount of vanadium was produced.[4][5]

Estonia first used oil shale as a low-grade fuel in 1838 after attempts to distill oil from the material failed. Estonia's resource was not seriously exploited until fuel shortages during World War I made it viable. Mining began in 1918 and has continued since, with the size of operation increasing with demand. After World War II, Estonian-produced oil shale gas was used in Leningrad and the cities in North Estonia as a substitute for natural gas.</ref>[8][9] Two large oil shale-fired power stations were opened, a 1,400-MW plant in 1965 and a 1,600-MW plant in 1973. Oil shale production peaked in 1980 at 31.35 million tonnes. However, in 1981 the fourth reactor of the Sosnovy Bor nuclear power station opened nearby in Leningrad Oblast of Russia, reducing demand for Estonian shale. Production gradually decreased until 1995, since which time production has increased again slightly.[5]

Australia mined 4 million tonnes of oil shale between 1862 and 1952, when government support of mining ceased. Since the 1970s, oil companies have been exploring again possible reserves.[5] From 2000 to 2004 a demonstration-scale processing plant at the Stuart Deposit near Gladstone, Queensland produced over 1.5 million barrels of oil. The facility is now on care-and-maintenance in an operable condition, and the operator of the plant — Queensland Energy Resources — is conducting research and design studies for the next phase of its oil shale operations.[10] Brazil has produced oil from oil shales since 1935. Since 1954 Oil shale development has been the focus of a specific department with in Petrobras named, Superintendencia da Industrializaco do Xisto (SIX). Initially SIX focused on oil shales in the larger Paraíba formation but has now since since refocused development in the Irati shale. The pilot plant with a prototype oil-shale retort was started in 1972 before using Petrosix technology in 1982 and the commercial production started in 1992.[5] China has been mining oil shale since the 1920s near Fushun and Maoming.[5][11] Russia has been mining its reserves since the 1930s. As most of Russian oil shale mines were closed on 1990s, the current production continues on a small-scale basis.[5] Canada has produced some shale oil in mid of 1800s and in 1929-1930. Some experimental processing took place also in 1988.[5]

The United States has seen some attempts at large-scale exploitation. Oil distilled from shale was first burnt for horticultural purposes in the 19th century, but it was not until the 1900s that larger investigations were made. The Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves was established in 1912. The reserves were seen as a possible emergency source of fuel for the military, particularly the Navy.[citation needed] After World War II, the US Bureau of Mines opened a demonstration mine at Anvils Point, just west of Rifle, Colorado, which operated at a small-scale.[citation needed] In the early sixties TOSCO (The Oil Shale Corporation) opened an underground mine and built an experimental plant near Parachute, Colorado. It closed in the late sixties because the price of production exceeded the cost of imported crude oil.[citation needed] It was not until the oil crisis of the 1970s and the US becoming a net importer of oil that efforts at utilization were increased. Military uses were deemed less important and commercial exploitation came to the fore, with several oil companies investing. Unocal returned to the same area where TOSCO had worked. Several billion dollars were spent until declining oil prices rendered production uneconomical once more and Unocal withdrew in 1991.[citation needed] The oil shale development program was initiated in 2003 in support of President Bush’s National Energy Policy.[12] The Energy Policy Act of 2005 introduced a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar sands resources on public lands with an emphasis on the most geologically prospective lands within each of the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.[13] The federal government currently owns 72% of all known oil shale in the United States.

Mining

The oil shale is mined either by traditional underground mining or surface mining techniques. There are several mining methods, but the aim of all of them is the fragmenting of oil shale deposit to enable the transport of shale fragments to a power plant or retorting facility. Main methods of surface mining are open pit mining and strip mining. The main sub-surface mining method is the room-and-pillar method.[14]

Power generation

Oil shale could be used as a fuel for thermal power plants, where the shale is burned like coal to drive steam turbines. Currently there are oil shale-fired power plants in Estonia (2967 MW installed capacities), Israel (12.5 MW), Germany (9.9 MW), and China.[15][16] While some countries have closed their oil shale-fired power plants (e.g. Romania) or converted to other fuels (e.g. Russia), some other countries are looking for construction of these power plants (e.g. Jordan and Egypt), or burn oil shale at the power plants together with coal (e.g. Canada and Turkey).[15][17][18]

There are three technologies for combustion:[19]

  • Pulverized Combustion (PC) - used in the older units of oil shale-fired power plants in Estonia
  • Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) - used by Rohrbach Zement in Dotternhausen, Germany
  • Circulated Fluidized Bed (CFB) - used in two new units at Narva Power Plants in Estonia, Huadian Power Plant in China, and PAMA power plant at Mishor Rotem in Israel.

The most modern technology of a combustion of oil shale in power plants is a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) or circulating fluidized bed (CFB) process, while the traditional way of burning oil shale is through pulverized combustion.[20][15]

Oil extraction

Main article: Oil shale extraction

At present, the major shale oil producers are Estonia, Brazil and China, while some other countries as Australia, USA, Canada and Jordan have planned to start or restart shale oil production.[15][17] Although there are several oil shale retorting technologies, only five technologies are currently in commercial use, which are Kiviter, Galoter, Fushun, Petrosix, and Alberta Taciuk.[21]

The two main methods of extracting oil from shale are ex-situ and in-situ.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ WEC, p. 73
  2. ^ Greenpeace Australia Pacific (2005-03-03). "Climate-changing shale oil industry stopped". Retrieved 2007-06-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Non-Nuclear Energy Research in Europe – A comparative study. Country Reports A – I. Volume 2" (PDF). European Commission. Directorate-General for Research. 2005. EUR 21614/2. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b Dyni, John R. (2006). "Geology and resources of some world oil-shale deposits. Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5294" (PDF). U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j WEC, p. 75-77
  6. ^ Laherrère, Jean (2005). "Review on oil shale data" (PDF). Hubbert Peak. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ Dr. James H. Gary, Editor (August 1979). "Twelfth Oil Shale Symposium Proceedings" (PDF). Colorado School of Mines Press. Retrieved 2007-06-02. {{cite journal}}: |author= has generic name (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ Ingo Valgma. "Map of oil shale mining history in Estonia". Mining Institute of Tallinn Technical University. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  9. ^ "History of the company". Viru Keemia Grupp. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  10. ^ "Shale oil. AIMR Report 2006". Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 2007-05-30.
  11. ^ Yin, Liang (7-9 November 2006). "Current status of oil shale industry in Fushun, China" (PDF). Amman, Jordan. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ "Nominations for Oil Shale Research Leases Demonstrate Significant Interest in Advancing Energy Technology. Press release". Bureau of Land Management. 2005-09-20. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  13. ^ "What's in the Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS". Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS Information Center. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  14. ^ Bartis, James T.; LaTourrette, Tom; Dixon, Lloyd; Peterson, D.J.; Cecchine, Gary (2005), Oil Shale Development in the United States. Prospects and Policy Issues. Prepared for the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (PDF), The RAND Corporation, ISBN 978-0-8330-3848-7, retrieved 2007-06-29
  15. ^ a b c d Brendow, K. (2003). "Global oil shale issues and perspectives. Synthesis of the Symposium on Oil Shale. 18-19 November, Tallinn" (PDF). Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal. 20 (1). Estonian Academy Publishers: 81–92. ISSN 0208-189X. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  16. ^ Qian, J.; Wang, J.; Li, S. (2003). "Oil Shale Development in China" (PDF). Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal. 20 (3). Estonian Academy Publishers: 356–359. ISSN 0208-189X. Retrieved 2007-06-16. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  17. ^ a b Hamarneh, Yousef (1998; 2006). "Oil Shale Resources Development In Jordan" (PDF). Amman: Natural Resources Authority of Jordan. Retrieved 2007-06-16. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ WEC, p 85-90
  19. ^ Alali, Jamal; Abu Salah, Abdelfattah; Yasin, Suha M.; Al Omari, Wasfi (2006), Oil Shale in Jordan (PDF), Natural Resources Authority of Jordan, retrieved 2007-06-29
  20. ^ Liblik, V.; Kaasik, M.; Pensa, M.; Rätsep, A.; Rull, E.; Tordik, A. (2006), "Reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions and transboundary effects of oil shale based energy production" (PDF), Oil Shale. A Scientific-Technical Journal, 23 (1), Estonian Academy Publishers: 29–38, ISSN 0208-189X, retrieved 2007-06-16
  21. ^ Qian, Jialin; Wang, Jianqiu (7-9 November 2006). "World oil shale retorting technologies" (PDF). Amman, Jordan. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oil_shale_industry&oldid=146105401"